THE RIGHT STUFF

WIRE REPORTS

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, November 27, 1997

Since this is Turkey Day, we offer you some food for thought. The hottest debate this winter is bound to be: Who should win the Heisman Trophy? Michigan's all-world Charles Woodson or Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, who was anointed for the award back in January but now faces some real competition.

The debate will rage on until the award ceremony Dec. 13 at New York's Downtown Athletic Club in what might be the closest vote in the award's 63-year history. And here's how two of the more than 1,000 voters have decided:

Ralph Routon of the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph wrote: ". . . There in fine print, it says the Heisman is "awarded to the outstanding college football player of the United States for 1997.' That isn't Peyton Manning. It's Charles Woodson.

"If you've watched Woodson at all this season, you understand. He's been the catalyst for Michigan's 11-0 season, making big plays in every phase of the game. He's the best cornerback in America, he's an outstanding - - - - - -wide receiver and he's unmatched as a punt returner. He's also made the difference in every important game."

But Bernie Lincicome of the Chicago Tribune begs to differ: "Woodson is a contrivance, a very, very good one, but he is not the best player in college football. He gets noticed because he does something other than his job. He catches a pass, returns a kick, once a game, once a month. Woodson has touched the ball 15 times on offense all year.

"If Woodson is not a good enough cornerback to be voted for the Heisman, then he should not get the Heisman for being an incidental offensive tactic.

"It's Manning for me."

SWELLING BANDWAGON: Washington State couldn't sell out its 33,600-seat Martin Stadium even once this season, but now that the Cougars have made their first Rose Bowl since 1931, they couldn't beat back the ticket pursuers with a stick.

- - - - - -But you gotta have cash, and lots of it. Washington State boosters who have donated $1,000 or more to WSU programs other than athletics have been added to the priority list for Rose Bowl ticket sales. The ticket pool was also opened up to about 1,200 President's Associates who gave $1,000 or more to university programs other than athletics.

HEAD FIRST: Merril Hoge, a former NFL fullback forced to retire because of repeated concussions, still can't remember the day he announced his retirement.

"The scary part is worrying about maybe becoming senile at a young age," Hoge says, his voice choking at the thought of being a burden to his wife and two children.

"The doctors told me I very well may have sped up something that normally might happen at 75 or 80, and it could happen now at 45 or 50. It makes me mad that I wasn't treated with a little more concern. I deserved that."

FROM THE MOUTH

"For the good of football mankind, and in the holiday spirit, let the truth be heard: Jerry, shut up. And do it right now. Just shut up. Immediately."

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